Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus.



B. F. OLER.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC comaomme APPARATUS.

Patented June 23, 191 1 3 SHEETS-11521 1.

APPLICATION FILED 110 17. 26 1912. 1,101,036.

B. P. OLER.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC GON'IROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.26, 1912.

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APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

33h, alto (Me UNITED STATES TATENT OFFIfiE.

BENJAMIN F. OLEIR, F ELMHUBST, NEW 'Y 011K,

AND SIGNAL COMPANY, 01 SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A

PENNSYLVANIA.

ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH CORPORATION OF RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Application filed November 26, 1912. Serial No. 733,576.

Elmhurst, in the county of Queens and State of New Yorlr,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Trafiic Controlling' Apparatus, of which the ing, is'a specification.

My invention relates to indication means for railway trafiic controlling apparatus.

I will describe several forms of indication means embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is adiagrammatic view showing one form of indication means embodying my invention appliedin connection with a single switch.

Fig. 2 IS a diagrammatic view showing a similar form of indication means embodying my invention applied in connection with two switches of a cross-over. Fig. 3 is a view showing amodification of the indication means shown in 'i5ig. 1. Similar reference characters refer tosimilar parts in each of the several views.

Referring to all ofthe views, A designates a tra'liic controlling device, here shown as beinga railway switch. This switch is actuated by a suitable motor M, through the medium of an actuatingmechanism F. As here shown this motor M comprises twosolenoids 10 and 11, which control a reciprocating plunger 12, which latter is operatively connected with a plate 37. This plate is provided with a cam slot 38 which actuates a roller. 39 operatively connected with the switch rails by means of a rod 40. It will be seen that reciprocation of the plunger 12 will cause reverse movements of the switch A. Although I have herein shown this par ticular typeof motor device M, and actuating mechanism I it is understood that I do not limit myself to these particular types, but that any suitable motor and switch actuating mechanism may be employed.

The motor-M is controlled by means of a circuit controlling lever C, which is usually one of a plurality of levers comprised in an interlocking machine. This lever C may be of any suitable type; as here shown it is of a usual and well known type comprising a shaft 13 which is adapted to oscillate and which operates a contact finger '18 for the followcontrol of th circuits for the solenoids of motor M. The energizing circuits for these solenoids are herein shown in dash lines for the purpose of distinction, the indication circuits and the circuits pertaining thereto being shown in solid lines.

43 is a source of current which may be Patented June 23, 1914.

either direct or alternating; as here shown it 1s a battery. In the arrangement of control circuits herein shown, one or the other ofthe solenoids 10 or 11 is connected with the source 43 according as contact finger 18 en'- gages with contact 45 or 44. It is understood, however, that this arrangement of control of the motor device M by the lever C is merely illustrative and that I do not limit myself to this particular arrangement. The

movements of the shaft 13 are as usual controlled by indication apparatus. As here shown this apparatus comprises two indication devices K" and K one for each direc tion of movement. Each of these indication devices as here shown comprises a segment 27 fixed to the shaft 13 andprovided with a dog 28 adapted to engage with a latch 29.

The latches 29 of the two-indication. devices are actuated by electro-magnets N and It, respectively. Each of the electro-magnets N and It is provided with a circuit'which is controlled by an indication relay D as hereina'fter explained. The circuits for these indication magnets are also controlled by contacts 25 and 26 operated by the shaft 13. These contacts are not moved during the first portion of the movement ofthe shaft 13 up to the point at which it is stopped by the dog 28 of one or the other of thefiiidication devices but, during theircmain'deifjof the movement of the shaft, the contacts 25 and 26 are reversed in position. This operation of contacts 25 and 26 is as here shown accomplished by mounting the contact fingers loosely on the shaft 13 and moving them by pins 31, 32, 33 and 34 carried by collars 35 of the armature or rotor is, obtained by the polarity relation between currents in the two windings, and in which the contact fingers assume a middle position in case of no current or of insuflicient current in either or both windings. As here shown this relay is of a polyphase type comprising two windings a and f, and a rotor 1', but I do not wish to limit myself to this particular type of relay. 14 and 15 are contact fingers operated by the rotor r; one or the other of these fingeIS is closed according as the .rotor occupies one extreme position or the other, and both fingers are open when the rotor occupies its middle or neutral position.

19 designates a source of alternating current, here shown as being a generator, to which. are connected conductors 20. The winding 1 of relay D is constantly energized from these conductors 20 through wires 21 and 22.;

16 designates-a device operatively connected with the trafiic controllin device for causing reversals of current 1n the relay winding a relative to the current in winding f of this relay. As here shown, this device 16 isan inductive device or a transformer device comprising a stationary core 17 and a rotatable core member 46. The member46 is provided with a pinion 77 which meshes with a segmental gear 75 which latter is pivoted at point 78 and is provided with an arm 76. This arm 7 6 is connected by a suit able link 79 with a roller 48. which moves in a slot 47 in the motion plate 37. .Thecore 17 is provided with a primary winding 49 which is connected W-iththe conductors 20. The rotatable member 46 is provided with a secondary winding 50 which is connected by means of wires 23 and 24 with the winding a of the relay D. The arrangement of the pinion 77, gear 75, and links 76, and '79, is such that a complete movement of the roller 48 from one end to the other of the slot 47 causes a rotation of the core member 46 through 180 degrees. It will be seen, therefore,that when the switch actuating mechanism F occupies one extreme position or the other, the cur-' rent delivered by the winding 50 will be in one direction or the other relative to the current in relay winding f, so that the relay D is energized in one directionor the other, thereby holding either contact 14 or 15 closed. It will also be seen that when the switch actuating mechanism F is intermedi-. ate its extreme positions, the member 46 will occupy a posit-ion 90 degrees from the position shown in the drawing, so that at such times no current will be induced in the wind ing 50, or if any current is induced in this winding it will be so small as to be insufficient to effectively energize the relay D, so that both contacts of this relay will then be open; at such times the winding a of relay D will be on short circuit, thereby shunting froni this winding all currents which might leak into wires 23 and 24.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, the parts of the apparatus are shown in the positions which they occupy when the switch A occupies what I shall term its normal position. The core member 46 is then in such position that relay D is energized in such direction that its contact 14 is closed and contact 15 is open.

site position, which I shall term its re- C is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow until the dog 28 of indication device the contact finger 18 has been disengaged from contact 44 and has on aged contact 45 so, that solenoid 10 is energized through the following circuitfrom battery 43 through wire 52, contacts 18 and 45, wire 53, solenoid 10, wires 45 and 55 to battery- 43. This causes solenoid 10 to draw the plunger 12, thereby shifting plate 37 so that the-roller 39 is moved by the cam slot 38 and the switch is reversed. As soon as this movement of the plate 37 begins, and while the upper longitudinal portion of the slot 38 is moving past the roller 39, the lower inclined portion of the slot 47 rotates the core member 46 through 90 degrees, so that relay D is denergized and its contacts 14 and 15 are therefore opened. WVhen themovement of :the" switch A is complete and the lower longitudinal portion of the slot 38 is moving past the roller 39, the upper inclined portion of the slot 47 continues the rotation of. the member 46, so that this member then occupies a position180 degrees from the position inrwhich it is shown in the drawing.

the reverse direction, so that contact 15 is -closed'and contact 14 is open. The reverse indication magnet R through the following circuit-from battery 43 through wires 55 and 56, contact 15, wire 57 contact finger'25, wire 58, magnet R, wire 59" to battery 43. Magnet Rthen raises its armature, thereby raising the latch 29 out of the path of dog 28 of indication device K so that the movement of shaft 13'may be continued to the end of the stroke. During this last portion of the movement of the shaft 13, contact 25 is opened, thereby opening the'circuit for magnet R; and contact 26 is closed, thereby closing at that point the circuit for magnet N. a

The operation of the apparatus. for the movement of the switch A from the reverse to the normal position, would be similar to that just explained, hence it need not be traced here in detail.

The inductive device or transformer device 16 is preferably so wound that the voltage delivered by the winding 50 is higher When it is desired to move the switch A from this position to its 'oppo-- K engages'the latch 29. In this positionis then energized verse position, the shaft 13 of control lever Winding a of relay D is then energized in than the voltage impressed on the winding 49. This is indicated in the drawing by showing a greater number of turns in the secondary winding than in the primary winding 49. For example, the voltage impression on the winding 49 may be volts and voltage delivered by the winding 50 may be 110 volts. The relay D is then preferably so adjusted that it will be effectively energized by current at 110 volts in its winding (1, but that it will not be effectively energized by currentat 55 volts in its winding a to close either of its contacts. Hence, in case of a cross between the conductors 20 or any wires connected therewith and the wires 23, 24, even though current from generator 19 might then reach winding 11 the relay D would not be effectively energized to close either of its contacts.

Referring now to Fig. 2, I have here shown two switches A and B of a crossover controlled by a single lever C. Each switch is provided with a motor M or M, each of which motors operates a switch mechanism F or F, as shown in Fig. 1. The solenoids 11 of the two switch motors are connected to be controlled by the one lever C and similarly solenoids 10 are connected to be controlled by the one lever -C, one pair or the other of these solenoids being energized according as contact finger 18engages contact 44 or 45. The actuating mechanism F operates an inductive device 16 and the actuating mechanism F operates an inductive device 16 each of wh1ch inductive devices as here shown is similar to the inductive device 16 of Fig. 1. The windings 50 of the two inductive devices 16 and 16 are connected in series and are also connected with the winding a of relay D. \Vith this arrangement, the relay D is preferably so adjusted as to be effectively energized by the sum of the two currents induced in the two windings 50 when these currents are of the same polarity, but to be not effectively energized by current from winding 50 of one inductive device only. As here shown, each inductive device 16 and 16 is, like the corresponding device in Fig. 1, so wound that the voltage delivered by the secondary 50 is higher than the voltage impressed on the primary 49; and the relay I) is so adjusted that it responds to current of the higher voltage but not to that of the lower voltage. The operation of the a paratus shown in Fig. 2 is substantially tie same as that of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, hence no detailed explanation of its operation is necessary.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the apparatus here shown is the same as that shown in Fig. 1, except that instead of one 3-position rela -D, I have shown two relays D and D eaci of which is responsive to current of one polarity in its winding 0; to close its contact and is not responsive to current of the reverse polarity in its winding a to close its contact. Relay D responds to current of only one polarity to close its contact and relay D responds to current of only the reverse polarity to close its contact. The two windings a of relays D and D are included in series with the winding 50 of the inductive device 16. When the switch A. occupies its normal position, relay D is energized to close its contact and when the switch A occupies its reverse position the other relay, D is energized to close its contact. Relay D controls the normal indication magnet N and relay D controls the reverse indication magnet R. The apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is in other respects similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the operation of that shown in Fig. 1. Hence, no further explanation of Fig. 3 is necessary.

lthough I have herein shown and described only) a few forms of apparatus and circuits em odying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and see c of my invention.

Having thus describe my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, indication apparatus therefor, an electro-magnetic device for controlling said indication apparatus, a source of current, and means controlled by the trafiic controlling device for energizin said electromagnetic device from the sai source in one direction or the other according as the traffic controlling device occupies one extreme position or the other and for denergizing said electro-ma ietic device from the source and short-circultin the electro-ma etic de vice when the tra ic controlling evice occupies an intermediate position.

2. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, a normal and a reverse indication device therefor, electro-magnetic means responsive to reversals of current and adapted to cause the operation of one indication device or the other according as said means is energized in one direction or the other, a source of current, means controlled by the trafiic controlling device for energizing said electro-magnetic means from said source in one direction or the other according as the tratfic controlling device occupies one position or another and for deener izing the electro-magnetic means and placing the latter on short circuit when the traflic controlling device occupies an intermediate position.

3. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, a source of current, an elecone of which is constantly energized from the source, means controlled by the traflic controlling device for energizin winding from the source in one irection or the other according as the traffic controlling device occupies one extreme position or the other and for deenergizin the last mentioned winding and .short circuiting the latter when the trailic controlling. device is intermediate its extreme positions, and indication apparatus controlled by'said electromagnetic device.

4. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, a source of current, a three; position relay having two windings one of which is constantly energized from the said source, means operatively connected with the traflic controlling device for energizing the last-mentioned winding from the source in one direction or the other according as the device occupies one or the other of its extreme positions and for denerglzing the last-named winding and short-circuiting it when the device is intermediate its extreme positions, and indication apparatus controlled by said relay.

5.. In combination, a railway traliic controlling device, indication apparatus therefor, electro-magnetic means responsive to reversals of polarity of current for controlling said indication apparatus, a source of current, a transformendevice having a primary energized from said source and a secondary connected with said electro-magnetic means, said transformer device having a movable part which causes the transformer device to deliver current of one polarity or the other according as said part occupies one position or another, and means operatively connected with the traffic controlling device for causing said movable part to occupy one of said positions or the other according as the traffic controllin device occupies one extreme position or t e other.

6. In combination, a railway trailic controlling device, indication apparatus therefor, electro-magnetic means for controlling said indication apparatus and responsive to.

reversals of current, a source of alternating current, and means controlled by the traflic controlling device and including a transformer for energizing the electro-magnetic means with current of a voltagegreater than the voltage of the source in one direction or the other according as the traflic controlling device occupies one position or another, said electromagnetic means being responsive to the said higher voltage but not to the voltage of the source.

7. In combination, a railway switch, a

lever for the control thereof, indication apparatus for said lever, an electro-magnetic device for controlling said indication apparatus and responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, and means opera-' the othertively connected with the switch for reversely energizing said electro-ma etic de vice from the source according as te switch occupies one extreme position or the other and for deenergizing said electro-magnetic device and lacing the latter on short circuit when t e switch occupies an interme-. diate position.

8. In combination, a railway cross-over comprising two switches, indication apparatus for said switches, electro-magnetic means for controllin said apparatus, said means being responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, and means controlled by the switches for reversely energizing said electro-magnetic means :from the source according as the switches occupy one position or another, said electro-magnetic means being responsive to the combined currents from the said means for both switches but not to the current from the means for one switch only.

9. In combination, a railway traificcontrolling device, indication apparatus therefor, electromagnetic means for controlling said apparatus, a source of current, and means controlled by said trafiic controlling device for energizing said electromagnetic means from said source when the device occupies an extreme position, and for placing said electromagnetic means on short-circuit when the traflic controlling device occupies an intermediate position.

10. In combination, a railwa comprising two switches, indication apparatus for said switches, electromagnetic means for controlling said apparatus, a source of current, and means controlled by each switch for supplying current to said electromagnetic means, said electromagnetic means being responsive to the combined currents from the said means for both switches, but not to the current from the means for one switch only.

11. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, means for moving said device in opposite directions and for looking it in extreme positions, indication apparatus for said device, electromagnetic means responsive to ,reversals of current for controlling said indication apparatus, a source of .current; and means controlled by said moving' and locking means for energizin said electromagnetic means in one direction or the other from the source according as the trailic controlling device occu ies one extreme position or the other an is locked in such position and for deenergizing said electromagnetic means and placing the latter on short circuit when the traiiic controlling device is unlocked and when it occupies an intermediate osition.

12. In com ination, a railway com rising two switches, indication apparatag or said switches, electromagnetic means for controlling said apparatus, means controlled by each switch for energizing said electromagnetic means from the source with current of one character or another according as the switch occupies one position or the other, said electromagnetic means being responsive to the combined currents from the said means when the switches occupy corresponding positions, but not to the combined currents from said means when the switches do not occupy corresponding positions.

13. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, indication apparatus for said switches, electromagnetic means responsive to reversals of current for controlling said apparatus, a source of current, means controlled by each switch for supplying current from said source to the electromagnetic means of one polarity or the other according as the switch occupies one position or the other, the currents supplied by said means being of the same polarity when. the switches occupy corresponding positions whereby the currents then combine to energize said electromagnetic means in one direction or the other,

and the said currents being of opposite polarity when the switches do not occupy corresponding positions whereby the said currents then neutralize each other and the electromagnetic means is not effectively energized.

14. In combination, a railway traffic controlling device, indication apparatus therefor, electromagnetic means for controlling said indication apparatus and responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, and means controlled by the traflic controlling device and including a translating device for energizing said electromagnetic means from said source in one direction or the other according as the traflic controllin device occupies one position or another, sai electromagnetic means being responsive to current from said translating device, but not to current direct from the source.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. OLER.

\Vitnesses:

G. A. BLACKMORE, A. L. VENCILL. 

